Olt (river)

{{short description|River in Romania}} {{Infobox river | name = Olt | native_name = | native_name_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology =  | image = Olt East Karpatien.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = The Avrig reservoir on the Olt | map = Raul Olt.png | map_size = | map_caption = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 5  | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [[Romania]] | subdivision_type2 = Counties | subdivision_name2 = {{hlist|[[Harghita County|Harghita]]|[[Covasna County|Covasna]]|[[Brașov County|Brașov]]|[[Sibiu County|Sibiu]]|[[Vâlcea County|Vâlcea]]|[[Olt County|Olt]]|[[Teleorman County|Teleorman]]}} | subdivision_type3 = Cities | subdivision_name3 ={{hlist|[[Miercurea Ciuc]]|[[Sfântu Gheorghe]]|[[Râmnicu Vâlcea]]|[[Slatina, Romania|Slatina]]}}  | length = {{convert|615|km|mi|abbr=on}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= [[River mouth|mouth]] | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = {{cvt|174|m3/s}} | discharge1_max =  | source1 = [[Hășmaș Mountains]] | source1_location = [[Bălan]], [[Harghita County|Harghita]] | source1_coordinates= | source1_elevation = {{convert|1440|m|abbr=on}} | mouth = [[Danube]] | mouth_location = near [[Turnu Măgurele]] | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|43|42|46|N|24|48|1|E|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = | progression = {{RDanube}} | river_system = | basin_size = {{convert|24050|km2|abbr=on}} | tributaries_left = [[Râul Negru]], [[Bârsa (Olt)|Bârsa]], [[Topolog (Olt)|Topolog]] | tributaries_right = [[Cormoș]], [[Cibin]], [[Lotru]], [[Olteț]] | custom_label = River code | custom_data = VIII.1 | extra = }}

The '''Olt''' ([[Romanian language|Romanian]] and [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]; {{langx|de|Alt}}; {{langx|la|Aluta}} or ''{{lang|la|Alutus}}'', {{langx|tr|Oltu}}, {{langx|grc|Ἄλυτος}} ''Alytos'') is a [[river]] in [[Romania]].{{GeoSource|RO|Annex7|635-638}}{{GeoSource|RO|Atlas|263-308|VIII.1}} It is {{convert|615|km|abbr=on}} long, and its basin area is {{convert|24050|km2|abbr=on}}.{{GeoSource|RO|Atlas|263-308|VIII.1}}{{GeoSource|Danube||12}} It is the longest river flowing exclusively through Romania. Its average [[discharge (hydrology)|discharge]] at the [[River mouth|mouth]] is {{cvt|174|m3/s}}.{{GeoSource|Danube||12}} It originates in the [[Hășmaș Mountains]] of the eastern [[Carpathian Mountains]], near [[Bălan]], close to the headwaters of the river [[Mureș (river)|Mureș]]. The Olt flows through the [[Counties of Romania|Romanian counties]] of [[Harghita County|Harghita]], [[Covasna County|Covasna]], [[Brașov County|Brașov]], [[Sibiu County|Sibiu]], [[Vâlcea County|Vâlcea]], and [[Olt County|Olt]]. The river was known as ''Alutus'' or ''Aluta'' in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] antiquity. [[Olt County]] and the historical province of [[Oltenia]] are named after the river.

[[Sfântu Gheorghe]], [[Râmnicu Vâlcea]] and [[Slatina, Romania|Slatina]] are the main cities on the river Olt. The Olt flows into the [[Danube]] river near [[Turnu Măgurele]].

==Settlements== [[File:Preziosi - Trecerea Oltului.jpg|thumb|left|Crossing the Olt river, 1869 watercolor by Amedeo Preziosi]] The main cities along the river Olt are [[Miercurea Ciuc]], [[Sfântu Gheorghe]], [[Făgăraș]], [[Râmnicu Vâlcea]] and [[Slatina, Romania|Slatina]].

The Olt passes through the following communes, from source to mouth: [[Bălan]], [[Sândominic]], [[Tomești, Harghita|Tomești]], [[Cârța, Harghita|Cârța]], [[Dănești, Harghita|Dănești]], [[Mădăraș, Harghita|Mădăraș]], [[Racu]], [[Siculeni]], [[Ciceu]], '''[[Miercurea Ciuc]]''', [[Sâncrăieni]], [[Sântimbru, Harghita|Sântimbru]], [[Sânsimion]], [[Tușnad]], [[Băile Tușnad]], [[Bixad, Covasna|Bixad]], [[Micfalău]], [[Malnaș]], [[Bodoc, Covasna|Bodoc]], [[Ghidfalău]], '''[[Sfântu Gheorghe]]''', [[Ilieni]], [[Prejmer]], [[Hărman]], [[Vâlcele, Covasna|Vâlcele]], [[Bod, Brașov|Bod]], [[Feldioara]], [[Hăghig]], [[Măieruș]], [[Belin, Covasna|Belin]], [[Apața]], [[Aita Mare]], [[Ormeniș]], [[Baraolt]], [[Augustin, Brașov|Augustin]], [[Racoș]], [[Hoghiz]], [[Ungra]], [[Comăna]], [[Părău]], [[Șercaia]], [[Mândra]], '''[[Făgăraș]]''', [[Beclean, Brașov|Beclean]], [[Voila, Brașov|Voila]], [[Viștea]], [[Ucea]], [[Arpașu de Jos]], [[Cârța, Sibiu|Cârța]], [[Porumbacu de Jos]], [[Avrig]], [[Racovița, Sibiu|Racovița]], [[Tălmaciu]], [[Turnu Roșu]], [[Boița]], [[Câineni]], [[Racovița, Vâlcea|Racovița]], [[Brezoi]], [[Călimănești]], [[Dăești]], [[Bujoreni, Vâlcea|Bujoreni]], '''[[Râmnicu Vâlcea]]''', [[Budești, Vâlcea|Budești]], [[Mihăești, Vâlcea|Mihăești]], [[Galicea]], [[Băbeni]], [[Ionești, Vâlcea|Ionești]], [[Olanu]], [[Drăgoești, Vâlcea|Drăgoești]], [[Orlești]], [[Dobroteasa]], [[Prundeni]], [[Vulturești, Olt|Vulturești]], [[Verguleasa]], '''[[Drăgășani]]''', [[Voicești]], [[Teslui, Olt|Teslui]], [[Grădinari, Olt|Grădinari]], [[Strejești]], [[Curtișoara]], [[Pleșoiu]], [[Găneasa, Olt]], '''[[Slatina, Romania|Slatina]]''', [[Slătioara, Olt|Slătioara]], [[Milcov, Olt|Milcov]], [[Piatra-Olt]], [[Brâncoveni]], [[Ipotești, Olt|Ipotești]], [[Osica de Sus]], [[Coteana]], [[Fălcoiu]], [[Mărunței]], [[Drăgănești-Olt]], [[Fărcașele]], [[Stoenești, Olt|Stoenești]], [[Dăneasa]], [[Gostavățu]], [[Sprâncenata]], [[Băbiciu]], [[Scărișoara, Olt|Scărișoara]], [[Rusănești]], [[Cilieni]], [[Tia Mare]], [[Izbiceni]], [[Lunca, Teleorman|Lunca]], [[Giuvărăști]] and [[Islaz]].

==Tributaries== The following rivers are [[tributary|tributaries]] of the river Olt (from source to mouth):{{GeoSource|RO|Atlas|263-308|VIII.1}}

*Left: Mediaș, Fântâna lui Gal, Sedloco, Babașa, Șoarecu, [[Cad (river)|Cad]], [[Racul]], Nicolești, Delnița, [[Pustnic]], [[Fitod]], [[Fișag]], [[Tușnad (river)|Tușnad]], Vârghiș, [[Valea Roșie (Olt)|Valea Roșie]], Micfalău, Pârâul Urșilor, Malnaș, Hereț, Talomir, [[Râul Negru]], Valea Neagră, [[Ghimbășel]], [[Bârsa (Olt)|Bârsa]], [[Homorod (Dumbrăvița)|Homorod (Ciucaș)]], [[Crizbav (river)|Crizbav]], Valea Cetății (Rotbav), Valea Seacă, Hotaru, [[Măieruș (river)|Măieruș]], Bozom, Valea Lungă, Remetea, Ormeniș, Top, Valea Cetății (Racoș), [[Valea Mare (Olt)|Valea Mare]], [[Bogata (Olt)|Bogata]], [[Lupșa (Olt)|Lupșa]], [[Comana (Olt)|Comana]], [[Veneția]], [[Părău (river)|Părău]], Găvan, [[Șercaia (river)|Șercaia]], Urăsa, [[Mândra (Olt)|Mândra]], Iaz, [[Sebeș (Brașov)|Sebeș]], [[Racovița (Făgăraș)|Racovița]], Hurez, [[Săvăstreni]], Netot, Dridif, [[Breaza (Olt)|Breaza]], [[Sâmbăta (river)|Sâmbăta]], Racovița, [[Drăguș (river)|Drăguș]], Hotarul, [[Viștea (river)|Viștea]], Corbul Viștei, Corbul Ucei, [[Ucea (river)|Ucea]], Racovița, Gârlățel, Gostaia, [[Arpaș]], Valea Neagră, [[Cârțișoara (river)|Cârțișoara]], Opat, Scorei, [[Sărata (Olt)|Sărata]], [[Porumbacu (river)|Porumbacu]], [[Avrig (river)|Avrig]], Mârșa, Racovița, [[Sebeș (Sibiu)|Sebeș]], Strâmba, Rândibou, Curpăn, [[Valea Satului (Olt)|Valea Satului]], [[Boia Mare]], [[Pârâul Sec (Olt)|Pârâul Sec]], [[Băiaș]], Lotrișor, Văratica, Păușa, Valea Satului, [[Sălătrucel (river)|Sălătrucel]], [[Alunoasa]], Valea Satului, [[Sâmnic]], [[Aninoasa (Olt)|Aninoasa]], Pârâul Ruzii, [[Topolog (Olt)|Topolog]], Ursana, [[Stăneasa]], [[Geamăna (Olt)|Geamăna]], [[Cungra]], Sterpul, [[Cepturaru]], Surduiu, [[Cungrișoara]], Recea, Racovăț, Teslui, [[Strehareți]], [[Milcov (Olt)|Milcov]], Cinculeasa, Oboga, [[Dârjov]], [[Iminog]] *Right: Sipoș, [[Lunca Mare]], [[Lunca (Olt)|Lunca]], [[Modicea]], [[Mădărașul Mare]], Șopot, [[Var (Olt)|Var]], Segheș, Știuca, [[Beta (Olt)|Beta]], Capolnaș, Techera, Valea Mare, Chendreș, Valea Merilor, Chereș, Pârâul Mare, Mitaci, Răchitiș, Calnic, [[Valea Crișului (river)|Valea Crișului]], [[Arcuș (river)|Arcuș]], Valea Porumbelor, [[Debren (river)|Debren]], Valea Sâmbrezii, Ilieni, [[Baciu (Olt)|Baciu]], [[Vâlcele (Olt)|Vâlcele]], [[Hăghig (river)|Hăghig]], Iarăș, [[Corlat (river)|Corlat]], [[Belinul Mare]], Valea Adânca, [[Aita (river)|Aita]], Valea Mateiașului, Pârâul Adânc, Căpeni (Chepeț), [[Baraolt (river)|Baraolt]], [[Cormoș]], Pârâul Sărat, [[Homorod (Homorod)|Homorod]], Dăișoara, Crăița, [[Ticuș]], [[Felmer]], Galați, Poenița, [[Cincu (river)|Cincu]], Golbav, [[Pârâul Nou]], Valea Fermelor, Brad, [[Cibin]], Pleașa, Megieș, [[Lotrioara]], [[Vad (Olt)|Vad]], Valea Largă, Valea lui Vlad, [[Uria (river)|Uria]], [[Robești (river)|Robești]], Sărăcinești, [[Călinești (Olt)|Călinești]], [[Lotru]], [[Lotrișor (Călimănești)|Lotrișor]], Căciulata, Valea Căldărilor, [[Muereasca (river)|Muereasca]], Bujoreanca, [[Olănești (river)|Olănești]], [[Pârâul Sărat (Vâlcea)|Pârâul Sărat]], [[Govora (river)|Govora]], Focșa, [[Bistrița (Olt)|Bistrița]], [[Luncavăț]], [[Nisipoasa]], [[Pesceana (river)|Pesceana]], [[Oporelu Canal]], Oltișor, [[Olteț]], [[Teslui (river)|Teslui]], [[Caracal (river)|Caracal]], [[Vlădila (river)|Vlădila]], [[Suhat (Olt)|Suhat]], [[Crușov]]

==Dams==

For supply of [[drinking water]] and water for [[irrigation]] and for the production of [[hydroelectricity]], 44 [[reservoir]]s have been built in the Olt river basin. There are 24 reservoirs for [[hydropower]] on the river Olt itself, and three on its tributary [[Lotru]].<ref>[http://hispagua.cedex.es/sites/default/files/especiales/Trasvases%20Africa/hydrotechnical_infrastructure_romania.pdf Hydro-technical infrastructure in Romania], SEPIC, Bucharest (2004) pp. 23-27</ref> There are hydropower plants at (from source to mouth) Voila, Viștea, Arpaș, Scoreiu, Avrig, Gura Lotrului, Turnu, Călimănești, Dăești, Râmnicu Vâlcea, Râureni, Govora, Băbeni, Ionești, Zăvideni, Drăgășani, Strejești, Arcești, Slatina, Ipotești, Drăgănești, Frunzaru, Rusănești and Izbiceni. The total energy production of the 43 hydropower plants in the Olt basin was 2,980 [[GWh]] in 1996.<ref>[https://www.icpdr.org/main/sites/default/files/RO_TECHNICAL_REPORTS_PARTS_A-B.pdf Danube Pollution Reduction Programme, National Reviews 1998 Romania], pp. 84-87 (of 262)</ref>

== Gallery== <gallery> Image:Madefalva Olt Szekelygate.jpg|Olt – Close to the source, at [[Siculeni]] Image:OltulLaTurnuRosu.jpg|The Olt River at Turnu Roșu Image:Carol Popp De Szathmary - Pe Valea Oltului.jpg|Carol Popp de Szathmary, Olt Valley Image:Baraj Olt Slatina.jpg|Slatina storage reservoir on the Olt river Wiadukt Carligul Mic na rzece Olt (2023-08-29 2).jpg|The bridge along the Olt river in the course of DN7 road Wiadukt Carligul Mic na rzece Olt (2023-08-29 1).jpg|The bridge along the Olt river in the course of DN7 road </gallery> * More pictures: [http://www.cntours.eu/en/pictures-transylvania.htm#pluta Raft ride (rafting) on Olt]

==See also== *[[Olt Defile]] *[[Limes Alutanus]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Rivers of Romania]] [[Category:Olt basin| ]] [[Category:Rivers of Harghita County]] [[Category:Rivers of Covasna County]] [[Category:Rivers of Brașov County]] [[Category:Rivers of Sibiu County]] [[Category:Rivers of Vâlcea County]] [[Category:Rivers of Olt County]] [[Category:Rivers of Teleorman County]]